PANJIM: Buoyed by the support of the opposition parties, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Saturday put Goa under a near-total lockdown by announcing the imposition of Section 144, sealing of borders and closure of restaurants and street food joints.
Chairing an all-party meeting, the Chief Minister said that the opposition parties have pledged their support to government on the COVID-19 fight.
The all-party meet was attended by Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, Goa Forward president Vijai Sardesai, MGP MLA Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, NCP president Jose Philip D’Souza, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Revenue Minister Jennifer Monserrate.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the ‘Janta curfew’ call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sawant appealed to the people to support the cause of defeating COVID-19.
The Chief Minister asked citizens to observe the curfew. “We are in the second phase and we are on the verge of entering the third phase. It is also urged that people should refrain from moving out of the house after 9 pm on March 22 until Monday morning, more so as we are on the verge of entering the third phase,” he emphasised, adding that people must express gratitude to those working round-the-clock to serve others by clapping for five minutes at 5 pm.
“There will be sirens from police stations and fire brigade at 5 pm and people must not panic,” he said.
He further urged the people to avoid stepping out of their homes unless it is absolutely necessary. “Even though there has not been a single positive case in Goa,
considering the critical phase the country is going through in the COVID-19, it is necessary to be more vigilant and take all preventive measures that are required to prevent the community transmission of the virus,” he said.
Sawant said that based on the various instructions, advisories issued by the Government of India and considering the scenario prevailing in the rest of the States, several decisions have been taken in the interest of public health safety.
He also appealed to the people not to indulge in panic buying and stay away from rumours. “If anyone has noticed symptoms of COVID-19 he is requested to get himself screened by the nearest public health centre. All those who plan to travel to Goa are requested to postpone their travel plans until normalcy returns,” he said.